Poland's state-owned airline LOT have hit the headlines after refusing to board Russian tennis player, Vitalia Diatchenko onto their flight on Monday with the carrier implementing restrictions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Diatchenko was travelling from Cairo on Monday to Calvi in Corsica to play at a tournament, but the airline confirmed to CNN that they 'could not accept a citizen of the Russian Federation on its flight'.
“The provisions of the regulation introduce restrictions at certain border crossings, including airport crossings, in relation to citizens of the Russian Federation traveling from outside the Schengen area,” the airline said.
Diatchenko herself took to her Instagram story and revealed her situation as well as asking if its fair for her to be in her eyes punished for something she has no association with.
"Travelling as a Russian citizen to Europe, I received only 14 days! visa (usually as an athlete I receive 2/3 years ). Also, this visa had to be through Spain as they were the only country that would issue this visa," she said on her Instagram story.
"Therefore flight has to go through Spain, so other borders such as the one for my tournament will not let me fly unless through Spain.
"In reality, this means four flights instead of two! End of the story, slept in the airport, treated like a 3rd class citizen, spent a couple of thousand euros, now no possible way to make it to the tournament as no route because of airlines that won't carry Russians and the limited visa situation.
"Finally, I have to withdraw and the only option is to return home and miss another event because of this situation.
"As a professional athlete who is playing without any flag and not representing any country, just trying to get on with life and follow a career that I have loved all my life, is this fair to athletes that have no association with any part of the unfortunate situation.
"Hope to be free of politics, racism and nazism. Just peace and a clear sky please!"
Vitalia Diatchenko on Russian passport: “As an athlete who’s playing without any flag, not representing a country, just trying to get on with life & follow a career I loved all my life, is this fair to athletes who have no association with any part of the unfortunate situation”
